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Just found out that racing legend Bill Wimble has severe medical issues and has been moved to Hospice in Tampa where he now resides... Prayers please...
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Bill didn't make it. Godspeed Racer.
Great driver, even better human being. I'll miss him tremendously. -
Bill Wimble, 84, who captured NASCAR's National Sportsman Championship in 1960, died Sunday in Tampa, FL from a brain aneurysm. Wimble, originally from Lisbon, New York, is best known in Florida for his heroism by helping save the life of 1961 Daytona 500 champion Marvin Panch. Panch was trapped in a burning sports car after crashing during a test run at Daytona International Speedway in 1963. Tiny Lund, Wimble and several other men rushed to Panch's aid and pulled him out of the flaming race car. Panch, who was injured in the incident, in turn gave his Daytona 500 ride with Wood Brothers Racing to Lund, who won the race. Wimble captured numerous track championships in the northeast. He made two NASCAR Cup Series starts at Daytona in 1962. He finished 17th in a qualifying race (which counted as a points race at the time) and finished 11th in the Daytona 500. The Living Legends of Auto Racing honored Wimble with its prestigious Pioneer of Racing Award in 2007.Comment
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The man never seemed to slow down.
While talking to him about this past Modified Reunion (which he was ALWAYS at), he told of his schedule for that week. I don't recall the actual itinerary, but I know it consisted of about 5 round trips from his Valrico home and the Daytona area, within about a 7 day oeriod. That's about 5 hours of driving each day.... 5 out of 7 days. And the last one is an annual Daytona party he hosts at the track with 54 people each year.
Since I started this Reunion project, we've lost dozens of racers. No disrespect to ANY of the others, but this one hit me harder personally the most.
I'll miss him terribly.............Comment
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Sorry for your loss Jerry I wish I would have known him he sounds great.
RIP Racer
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